Rates, costs and determinants of lumbar spine imaging in population-based women born in 1973-1978: Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.

Lumbar spine imaging was common in population-based Australian women, with rates increasing over 20 years. Depression and poor physical health were associated with lumbar spine imaging. Raising awareness of this in clinicians is likely to result in significant cost savings if clinical guidelines are followed, with the potential of freeing resources for high value care and health outcomes.